The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-03
RAILROADS ON THE RACK
JUDGE COOLEY AGAIN EXPLAINS
THE OBJECT OF THE TRIP.

NEW ORLEANS, May 2.-The Interstate
Commission met here to day.
Judge Cooley, in opening the proceedings,
said. "Our Investigations are not for any
nurpose of questioning the propriety, jus
tice or expediency of the recent legislation
of Congress. ALI that has been settled for
ne and we are here simply for the purpose
Of determining the question whether in the
pursuance of that legislation we shall, in
certain specified cases which have been
brought to our attention. make exceptional
orders which shall give relief in these
cases from the ordinary operations of the
law That is all we propose to do and all
we have any authority to do. Therefore
anv testimony that might be offered on be-
half of parties that should go beyond that,
m, which should seem to question the pro-
nriety or Justice of the legislation would be
ont of place altogether. and we trust
will not be offered The parties
annlyino for exceptional orders
are railway companies. They have put in
netitions and we shall hear evidence offered
IN their behalf, and also on behalf of other
narties who may think they are aggrieved
or in the interest OF communities which may
he subserved by granting the petition. We
will also accept evidence on behalf of parties
or communities tending to disprove the ap-
plicatious which have been made. Weshall
take I'D first evidence in support of petitions
and after that evidence in opposition"
THE TEXAS PACIFIC'S PLEA.
The first case taken up was the petition of
the Texas Pacific railroad for a continuance
of present rates, supported by petition Of
the people of Shreveport, presented by a
committee headed by Congressman Blan-
chard. The testimony submitted showed
that if the long and short haul clause is ap-
piled to the railroads entering Shreveport it
will kill the business of that city.
|. Hardy, Assistant General Freight
Agent of the Queen and Crescent Line,
stated that Immediately on the passage of
the bill the rates of the Anchor Line between
St. Louis and New Orleans had been adj
vanced 100 per cent, and between st. Louis
and Nicksburg 80 per cent, and that on the
suspension of the fourth section for short
time rates had immediately been lowered.
j. C. Haskell, Superintendent of the
American Salt Works of New Iberia, La,
contended that an enforcement of the sec
tion would work an injury.
P. L. Saunders of the Jackson (Miss.)
Board of Trade also opposed the long and
short haul clause in lengthy paper.
MEMPHIS FAVORED.
A committee of the Cotton Exchange sub
mitted a paper calling attention to discrimi-
nation by the Louisville, New Orleans and
Texas railroad against NewOrleans in favor
Of Memphis. The company charges So %
per bale on cotton from Shaw's station
which is 124 miles this side of Memphis, but
brings cotton from Memphis to New Orleans
for 65c. per bale on through cotton, and 81
per bale from Memphis to New Orleans as
the terminal point. The petitioners consider
tnat this is contrary to the intent and pur-
poses of the interstate commerce act
William Oliver, of the Mississippi Cotton
mills at WeSson, read paper favoring a
suspension Of the law so far as it affected
the product of his mills.
T. W., Gibson filed a petition from the
Board of Trade of Aberdeen, Miss asking
for suspension of the fourth clause over
the Illinois Central from Aberdeen to New
Orleans.
THE UNION PACIFIC EXEMPTED.
Frederick Knowland, General Eastern
Agent OF the Union Pacific Railway Com
pany, OF New York, appeared before the
Interstate Commerce Commission to-day,
and presented a petition from the Union
facitc Railway Company, asking exemp-
ton from the operation of the fourth
clause. Exemption was granted in the
form as presented and the same as granted
10 the other transcontinental lines
H. l.. Sanders, OF the jackson, Vlcksburg
ana Meridian railroad, read paper favor
Ing suspension of the fourth clause and it
was filed
protest against the suspension of the
sw, drawn up i'll conformity with the reso-
uIloh adopted at the meeting on Friday
HSt OF the Sugar Planters and State Ag1'i-
cultural Society's executive committees,
vas fled
TO BE PRESENTED LATER
Judge Fentress, general solicitor for the
Central Gai1 hot fha
not yet prepared to present its case, but
' SoGld DO SO later, probably at the Memphis
Ihe Southern Pacific, Louisville and
nashville Mississippi Valley and other
'Oaas y, VIII also present their cases later.
A W. Houston, of San Antonio, Tex,
! presented petition from the San Antonio
fawo. l alsHSs ia lS PaSs road for suspension in
Iavor OF that road
cJohn j. Gragard, of the New Orleans
Snaiilper Una M OF Commerce, presented q resolu-
osn u'n oi that body favoring the enforcement
" the law. Mr.. Gragard added that the
@stlmony heretofore given was from rail-
oS,S aild persons whose interests lay in
,~aiIoauS ~ His observation and experience
%eue 70 snow that the sentiment of the peo-
P'o was IN favor of an enforcement of the
THE PEOPLE NOT ORGANIZED.
I. Sp'hlilitdls lCt ITtSlueDb OF UUe
louisville and Nashville railroad, asked if
Nv M"ould be possible 70 get people to testify.
;; ;Sil; uragard said the people were not organ
~ ana were consequently not in posi-
a. Un 10 make a show against the railroad
"IHorheys, Intriguers aud bribers.
naflVct recess, Sidney Bernhcim, of Port
SiO9n, SSi.,'9n, Miss. made Statement relative to
W limitations against that town.
non ". D. Wallace, of the Produce Ex-
Gnlge, presented the memorial of the Pro-
%e %%uee Exchange, Sugar Exchange, Mer-
tb" ain,tS nJ ana Manufacturers Association, and
H. ~ Mechanics, Dealers and Lumber1nen's
t,,"hanse, acting jointly. calling for an in
iorcement Of the law. He called TO the
'eti. ."i.u III support of the allegations OF the
uGon as witnesses w. B. Campbell L. T.
tps"i99ett, Hugh McCloskey, President OF the
n"s.'l'e Exchange, and 4. Bellinap. repre-
n.'lg various mercantile interests. who
MrSselted rr'd facts and figures TO show dis
NlIlllntion in rates.
~, STEAMBOAT INTERESTS.
h me Steamboat interests were represented
a. ". Bryant, who read resolutions
: Slned by the National Board of Steam
York. ~ It's iecen' iueeeihs III ave"
VIII f,hr stahllnan, of the Louisville and Nash
NV My railroad, stated that his company
mo,. u introduce at Memphis u full state
~! nV or the relations and comparative
C C's OF river and rail transportation.
N,JI Sheldon. of thp Texas aud Pacific